“So, you think she’s yours? Fine, keep her by your side and watch if she truly belongs to you.”
Kalian sneered, pulling his hand back with an exaggerated gesture.
Blayden avoided Leni’s watery gaze fixed on Kalian, instead wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her.
Her slumped body, draped over his shoulder, wasn’t even heavy.
That made him feel strange again.
Leni’s soft whimpers, escaping through her gag, reached his ears. Blayden turned his head.
His reflection in the mirror showed him walking with the little girl slung over his shoulder like a sack.
It looked utterly ridiculous, rescuing a slave like this.
Since he already looked ridiculous, he might as well cause some trouble here.
A furious eagle ornament, made of ice, shot out like a spear, distorting his and Leni’s reflections in the mirror.
It struck the glass, and thick cracks spread like a spiderweb.
“What do you think you’re doing!”
Kalian’s enraged shout flew from behind him.
Blayden stared at himself and Leni, torn to shreds in the mirror.
Kalian, fuming and approaching, was reflected in a corner of the glass.
He tightened his grip on his sword. Blayden slammed the increasingly close reflection of Kalian into the eagle ornament’s head.
Kalian’s reflection in the mirror shattered with a loud “Ka-ang!”
“Perhaps you should pay your overdue mercenaries before starting reconstruction, Your Highness?”
Blayden said coldly, facing the precariously clinging shards of glass.
“Even just selling the gold attached to these mirrors should cover the remaining balance.”
“You’re quick to worry, aren’t you?”
Kalian scoffed, his eyes sharp.
“Carts full of spoils are coming from Berden. Once they arrive, the mercenaries’ wages can be settled in one go. You were nowhere to be seen when I needed you to buy time until then, but now you’re making a fuss about worrying.”
“Ah, right. My mistake. That’s just how my work goes, I suppose. Please forgive me, Your Generous and Intelligent Highness.”
Blayden retorted self-deprecatingly, tilted his head to the side, then turned.
As he sheathed his sword and strode forward, he heard a soft “Haah” from his shoulder.
Leni was trembling like a frightened chick.
As they left the opulent but empty room, glass fragments rained down behind them with a “Karararang!”
After Blayden retreated, a mirror in the corner swung open, and Atenark stepped out.
“Are you letting the slave go just like that?”
“I have to, so she’ll do what I told her to.”
Kalian’s gaze fell on the mirror fragments scattered on the floor.
The shattered glass pieces looked both dangerous and beautiful.
His face was reflected in a crescent-shaped shard, no bigger than his palm.
“You said she was twenty.”
“Excuse me?”
“Blayden Rehart’s slave. You said she was rescued by a theatrical troupe in the forest where her gypsy family was massacred when she was a baby, right? But the Skalson Troupe was formed eighteen years ago.”
Atenark, after a moment of thought, said, “So, if she’s twenty, she would have been adopted when she was two.”
“That’s how it calculates. But usually, a two-year-old isn’t called a baby.”
Kalian rubbed his chin, recalling faces.
His father, Martin Skalson, and the slave girl.
He had a hunch their relationships were intertwined.
Where should he begin to unravel the threads?
Atenark approached Kalian and asked, “Shall we arrest and interrogate the troupe members?”
“No.”
Kalian shook his head.
“Release them all. Free those who were brought with the slave, and withdraw the guards from Poriye Forest. Let the troupe members go wherever they wish.” “What are you thinking?”
“Anyone who knows about the events eighteen years ago will be highly loyal to Martin Skalson. They won’t confess with a mere torture. Release them and put spies on them. The truth often comes from a relaxed mind.”
“You are wise, Your Highness.”
Atenark’s eyes sparkled like a proud grandfather, and he bowed respectfully before withdrawing.
***
Leaving the mirror room, Blayden first removed Leni’s gag.
He yanked the thick cloth pressing against her mouth with one hand, and Leni exhaled a ragged breath all at once.
“How did you know I was captured?”
“You can skip the thanks. If you value your life, don’t run away again, kid.”
Blayden replied gruffly, then left the inner palace and walked towards the barracks.
Soldiers carrying weapons, coming and going, recognized Blayden and saluted, then shot curious glances at Leni on his shoulder.
Embarrassed by the men’s stares, Leni squirmed her bound legs.
“Please put me down. I can walk.”
“If you wish.”
Blayden practically dumped Leni onto the muddy ground.
Leni grimaced, seemingly in pain, and raised her hands, which were tied together in front of her.
“Untie me.”
Why don’t you just order me around?
“I’ve never encountered a slave like you in my life.”
Honestly, who’s the master and who’s the slave?
As ridiculous as the situation was, Blayden realized he had no choice.
If Martin Skalson spoke out of turn, it would be a headache.
His silence was needed now.
If he could buy that silence by taking on this kid, he might as well consider it an extra burden and take her with him.
Blayden untied the ropes binding Leni’s hands and feet.
“Do you remember where the stables are?”
“Huh? Yes, yes.”
Leni’s gaze shifted in the direction of the stables.
At least she has some sense of direction.
Hah, is that why she’s so good at running away?
***
“Sharino should be in the stable by now. Ask Sharino to pack the clothes and food you need. We’re going to Shadow Land.”
“Sha… Shadow Land? You mean where the shadow spirits live?”
“Stop asking questions and just do as you’re told.”
Blayden nudged Leni’s calf with the tip of his boot.
Leni, who had been blinking her wide eyes, rustled her body but then slumped down.
She limped, as if her leg had cramped, but suddenly, as if realizing something, she grabbed his arm and clung to him.
“Please, let me see my father.”
“What?”
“Shadow Land is in Berden, isn’t it? How long will it take? Please, let me see my father before we leave.”
I wonder if he’d grant my wish if I called him ‘Master’.
Just as a mischievous thought popped into his head, Leni’s eyes welled up with tears.
Blayden swallowed what he was about to say and turned away.
“Follow me.”
Leni scurried after Blayden, and her heart pounded when they entered the Quiesa Garden.
Blayden was heading towards the Tower of Time in the north of the garden.
That’s where the prison for the spirits is.
Why is he going there?
She suddenly feared her father might be suffering.
The security around the Tower of Time was tight.
Blayden passed the guards using the king’s transit pass he’d stolen while Leni was drinking strawberry tea and asleep.
As they passed the outer wall and entered the tower, the air grew cool.
Leni followed Blayden up the narrow, dim, spiral stone staircase until they reached the top of the tower.
As soon as they emerged into the wide, open space, they saw six guards armed with spears.
This time, the transit pass didn’t work.
“We have orders not to let anyone but High Priest Boren in.”
Blayden retorted without a hint of surprise.
“I came under the direct orders of High Priest Boren himself. Move aside.”
The guards looked at each other, flustered.
“This is an urgent matter. If anything happens to His Majesty’s person, your heads will roll.”
Only after Blayden’s chilling threat were the spears lowered.
Passing the guards, Blayden led Leni to a corner room.
“Keep your greetings brief. There’s no time.”
Blayden said gruffly, pushing her through a wooden door adorned with iron horns.
Leni flinched as the door closed behind her, then caught her breath and looked around the quiet room.
A dark blue mist shimmered in the spacious room, which had stone walls on all sides.
Pushing through the cold, damp mist, she saw iron bars.
Thick iron bars descended from the ceiling, dividing the room.
Beyond the bars, Martin was visible, sitting cross-legged with his back against the wall.
“Father!”
Leni cried out, rushing to the bars. Her heart broke at the sight of her imprisoned father.
“Father, are you okay?”
Martin stood up and approached the bars, extending one hand.
“Ah, Leni. I was worried.”
“I’m fine. But you, Father…”
Leni gripped his hand tightly, her voice catching.
Her relief that her father was alive was momentary, quickly replaced by a lump in her throat at his noticeably haggard appearance.
His usually neat face was gaunt, and his cheeks were sunken.
His white hair had significantly thinned.
How could a person change so much overnight?
Has he not eaten?
Was he tortured?
“Father, are you hurt anywhere?”
“No. I’m truly fine, Leni.”
Martin patted the back of her hand and then asked, “High Priest Boren told me you became Sir Rehat’s slave. Are you hurt anywhere?”
High Priest Boren was the one who had appeared and reprimanded Blayden when he ambushed her at the banquet.
He had seemed unusual even when disguised as a beggar in the market, and Blayden had also mentioned his name when passing the guards earlier.
Could this High Priest Boren be on our side?
Can he help Father?
Leni pushed away her complex thoughts and forced a smile.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
For now, she just wanted to reassure her father.
“Sir Rehat makes sure I eat well and doesn’t treat me roughly, so don’t worry.”
“The world will become dangerous again.”
Martin, who had been looking at her with a face full of worry, took off the red cloak he was wearing and handed it to her.
It was something he had been given when he entered the king’s bedchamber.
“For now, entrust yourself to Sir Rehat. He will protect you.”
“I thought Princess Kiabel would be my patron.”
“The princess was merely a path leading to Sir Rehart.”
“Excuse me?”
Leni leaned forward, surprised by his words.
“Leni, listen carefully.”
Martin pressed his face to the bars and lowered his voice.
“Shadow Land is a dangerous place. When you enter the realm of the shadow spirits, you must never leave Sir Rehart alone. He will become his own enemy there.”
How does he know I’m going to Shadow Land?
What does it mean that Blayden Rehart will become his own enemy?
Leni looked into her father’s eyes, which shone brightly in his emaciated face.